Dandelion Facts
My husband and I disagree about dandelions and their value in the world. I am forever photographing them in all their beautiful phases while he is determined to chase them from the lawn using whatever means possible.
I collect picture books about dandelions. Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Pena is one of my favorites. And when I see dandelions in full fluff, I think of them as wishes waiting to come true.
So yesterday while scrolling my Instagram I came across this post on an account I follow. I promptly took a screenshot and texted it my husband who was sitting right next to me in our living room.
His reply: I want to know more about out how they fertilize grass.
But I’m thinking that the lawn that is looking so good right now is not just the result of his dedicated attention and the rain that is providing ample water to grass that has in the past lived a thirsty life. Those dandelions that I love and he chases must be playing some role in this lawn improvement! And he did say just today that if he mows them over, so be it. But if the lawn mower misses them, then they can just add a bit of sunshine to the lawn!
And in a pinch, they might just provide lunch!
Thinking Through My Lens 
My mom served dandelion greens when I was a kid.
Beautiful photo essay + book rec!
I totally share your love for dandelions. They’re such sassy, bold, resilient plants! I also can’t resist taking photo after photo after photo. Yours are gorgeous! Those are some fascinating facts you shared. I’d never heard about helping grass grow….could it be that their tap roots help break up the soil? Or is it some other sort of dandelion magic? I was inspired to check out “Carmela Has a Wish” and found a read aloud on line. What a delightful picture book! I now I have another book in my to-be-ordered pile. You know all the best books (and are bad for my “budget”!) Such a great slice!
What gorgeous photos of the dandelions! I like them in general, but your photos help me appreciate them even more. I hadn’t thought about picture books that incorporate dandelions, but now I’m going to be on the lookout for them. :-). I also love that fact that the seeds can travel 5 miles! How amazing! What a perfect slice to be thinking about as spring comes.
I’m another person who loves taking pictures of dandelions. I find them endlessly fascinating – and really, what would be so bad about a yard full of them. I knew some of the facts from the post you saw, but not all: am adding them to my back pocket as ammunition against dandelion-haters. Things are just start to poke up their heads here; dandelions will be up soon!